For tasting in South Tyrol

"It's a pity that you can't caress wine," Kurt Tucholsky once lamented. If the late writer had to choose a holiday destination today, he would perhaps travel to South Tyrol.

In recent years, the area has made a very good name for itself as a wine region: international wine guides such as Decanter and Vinum regularly award South Tyrolean wines top marks.

In late summer and autumn, the grape harvest takes place in South Tyrol – the right time for a gourmet journey through the diverse local wineries and vineyards.

Guests not only experience fine wine, but also impressive architecture, sustainable, biodynamic farming methods and characters with their own personal signature. Some travel tips.

wine architecture

Many connoisseurs enjoy a glass of wine in an architecturally appealing environment. The Pacherhof in Neustift, for example, has won various design awards.

The wine production here is housed in a pyramid-like tower clad in darkened bronze.

This changes over time and reflects the changing colors of the rocks and mountains in the surrounding area. In contrast, the barrique cellar of the Nals Margreid winery in Lana looks like an oversized wine box.

winemaker

Even small farms produce strong wine personalities: Luis Oberrauch, for example, started growing his own wine in Auer at the tender age of 13, and today Lagrein is the leading variety.

At the Innerleiterhof in Schenna, guests not only taste wine in the bar area, they also enjoy a direct view into the production rooms and thus get a good impression of the entire production process.

At the Hillepranter winery near Merano, the Kapfinger family grows Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Vernatsch and Pinot Noir – since 2021, following the principles of their ancestors, who also appreciated the Mediterranean climate.

At suedtirol.info, under the tab “Regional Products”, you can find further information about the South Tyrolean Wine Route and the companies located there.

Future

Anyone interested in the viticulture of the future can experience the cultivation of fungus-resistant vines (PIWI) in various places. In Algund, for example, there is a group of five wineries that specialize in PIWI.

The PIWI South Tyrol association was co-founded by Franz Pfeifhofer, who also cultivates natural winegrowing on his Zollweghof.

Sierks Media / © Photos: Douglas Lopez (1), Jerusha (1), Unsplash / Source: djd